Smell Maps Create a New Way of Exploring Cities
Sensory exploration is a growing area of interest, for reasons pertaining to both health and enjoyment. By engaging more fully with a broader range of human senses, individuals can experience an event or location in greater depth and detail. Researcher Dr Kate McLean, an artist and course leader of the BA Graphic Design programme at the University of Kent, uses mapping techniques to bring the complexities of city odours to life.

Researchers are increasingly recognising the importance of smells, and sensory experiences more broadly, in day-to-day living
McLean’s ‘smellscape’ work combines data with art. She leads smellwalks around the world and uses watercolour, animation, sculpture, and scent diffusion to make the data visible. The smellscapes are often brightly coloured, and feature swirls and dots, conveying the sense of constant motion without becoming overwhelming.
Mclean is not alone. Researchers are increasingly recognising the importance of smells, and sensory experiences more broadly, in day-to-day living. The authors of a new book Restorative Cities: urban design for mental health and wellbeing discuss how sensory benefits can be used to balance out the complaints that impinge on an individual’s sense of health and wellbeing, both mentally and physically. In a recent interview, the authors say that,
“In urban design, there’s too much focus on vision and, to some extent, sound. But if we think about how humans have evolved, we know people actually make use of all of their senses-plus a sixth sense, which is an appreciation of the ambience of a place.”
Related news
GKI: What does a foreign tourist mean to us?
The role of tourism in Hungary has grown significantly over…
Read more >Eurozone economic performance unchanged in June
Siófok leads Szallas.hu’s domestic booking top list for the summer…
Read more >One click for happiness: nine out of ten Hungarians are impulse buyers
A fifth of Hungarians regularly buy products that they did…
Read more >More new products
Rossmann has exploded onto the e-commerce top list
Rossmann is included for the first time in the 2024…
Read more >K&H sustainability index: there are more good intentions, but actions are still to be taken
According to the latest data from a representative survey conducted…
Read more >75 years of passion, performance and innovation – Shell and Scuderia Ferrari celebrate HP’s iconic partnership worldwide
This year, Shell celebrates the 75th anniversary of its legendary…
Read more >